K-1 Insects Reading Unit
K-1 Insects Reading Unit. The goal of this unit is to teach kindergarten and first grade students to read closely and critically in order to comprehend complex informational text. In this unit, the teacher uses a variety of strategies, including a multi‐sensory approach, to actively engage students in analyzing vocabulary, answering text‐dependent questions and creating diagrams. Students learn to take collaborative notes using a graphic organizer and to use those notes to develop a deeper understanding of the text through the creation of a class book. Discussion and writing exercises help students to construct meaning of the text in a way that “sticks.”
Standards & Objectives
Academic standards
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.1.1
- Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.1.2
- Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.1.4
- Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 1 reading and content, choosing flexibly from an...
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.1.5
- With guidance and support from adults, demonstrate understanding of word relationships and nuances in word meanings.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.K.1
- Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.K.2
- Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.K.4
- Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on kindergarten reading and content.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.K.5
- With guidance and support from adults, explore word relationships and nuances in word meanings.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.1.1
- Demonstrate understanding of the organization and basic features of print.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.1.2
- Demonstrate understanding of spoken words, syllables, and sounds (phonemes).
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.1.3
- Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.1.4
- Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.K.1
- Demonstrate understanding of the organization and basic features of print.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.K.2
- Demonstrate understanding of spoken words, syllables, and sounds (phonemes).
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.K.3
- Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.K.4
- Read emergent-reader texts with purpose and understanding.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.1.1
- Ask and answer questions about key details in a text.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.1.10
- With prompting and support, read informational texts appropriately complex for grade 1.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.1.2
- Identify the main topic and retell key details of a text.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.1.3
- Describe the connection between two individuals, events, ideas, or pieces of information in a text.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.1.4
- Ask and answer questions to help determine or clarify the meaning of words and phrases in a text.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.1.6
- Distinguish between information provided by pictures or other illustrations and information provided by the words in a text.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.1.7
- Use the illustrations and details in a text to describe its key ideas.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.1.8
- Identify the reasons an author gives to support points in a text.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.K.1
- With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a text.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.K.10
- Actively engage in group reading activities with purpose and understanding.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.K.2
- With prompting and support, identify the main topic and retell key details of a text.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.K.3
- With prompting and support, describe the connection between two individuals, events, ideas, or pieces of information in a text.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.K.4
- With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about unknown words in a text.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.K.8
- With prompting and support, identify the reasons an author gives to support points in a text.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.K.9
- With prompting and support, identify basic similarities in and differences between two texts on the same topic (e.g., in illustrations, descriptions,...
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.1.1
- Ask and answer questions about key details in a text.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.1.10
- With prompting and support, read prose and poetry of appropriate complexity for grade 1.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.1.3
- Describe characters, settings, and major events in a story, using key details.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.1.5
- Explain major differences between books that tell stories and books that give information, drawing on a wide reading of a range of text types.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.1.7
- Use illustrations and details in a story to describe its characters, setting, or events.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.1.9
- Compare and contrast the adventures and experiences of characters in stories.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.K.1
- With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a text.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.K.10
- Actively engage in group reading activities with purpose and understanding.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.K.4
- Ask and answer questions about unknown words in a text.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.K.5
- Recognize common types of texts (e.g., storybooks, poems).
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.K.7
- With prompting and support, describe the relationship between illustrations and the story in which they appear (e.g., what moment in a story an...
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.K.9
- With prompting and support, compare and contrast the adventures and experiences of characters in familiar stories.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.1.1
- Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade 1 topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.1.2
- Ask and answer questions about key details in a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.1.3
- Ask and answer questions about what a speaker says in order to gather additional information or clarify something that is not understood.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.1.4
- Describe people, places, things, and events with relevant details, expressing ideas and feelings clearly.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.1.6
- Produce complete sentences when appropriate to task and situation. (See grade 1 Language standards 1 and 3 for specific expectations.)
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.K.1
- Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about kindergarten topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.K.2
- Confirm understanding of a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media by asking and answering questions about key details...
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.K.3
- Ask and answer questions in order to seek help, get information, or clarify something that is not understood.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.K.4
- Describe familiar people, places, things, and events and, with prompting and support, provide additional detail.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.K.5
- Add drawings or other visual displays to descriptions as desired to provide additional detail.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.1.1
- Write opinion pieces in which they introduce the topic or name the book they are writing about, state an opinion, supply a reason for the opinion, and...
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.1.2
- Write informative/explanatory texts in which they name a topic, supply some facts about the topic, and provide some sense of closure.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.1.3
- Write narratives in which they recount two or more appropriately sequenced events, include some details regarding what happened, use temporal words to...
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.1.5
- With guidance and support from adults, focus on a topic, respond to questions and suggestions from peers, and add details to strengthen writing as needed.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.1.6
- With guidance and support from adults, use a variety of digital tools to produce and publish writing, including in collaboration with peers.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.1.7
- Participate in shared research and writing projects (e.g., explore a number of "how-to" books on a given topic and use them to write a sequence of...
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.1.8
- With guidance and support from adults, recall information from experiences or gather information from provided sources to answer a question.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.K.1
- Use a combination of drawing, dictating, and writing to compose opinion pieces in which they tell a reader the topic or the name of the book they are...
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.K.2
- Use a combination of drawing, dictating, and writing to compose informative/explanatory texts in which they name what they are writing about and...
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.K.3
- Use a combination of drawing, dictating, and writing to narrate a single event or several loosely linked events, tell about the events in the order in...
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.K.5
- With guidance and support from adults, respond to questions and suggestions from peers and add details to strengthen writing as needed.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.K.6
- With guidance and support from adults, explore a variety of digital tools to produce and publish writing, including in collaboration with peers.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.K.7
- Participate in shared research and writing projects (e.g., explore a number of books by a favorite author and express opinions about them).
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.K.8
- With guidance and support from adults, recall information from experiences or gather information from provided sources to answer a question.
- GLE 0001.1.1
- Demonstrate an emerging understanding of basic English usage, mechanics, spelling, and sentence structure.
- GLE 0001.1.2
- Employ a variety of strategies to decode words and expand vocabulary.
- GLE 0001.1.4
- Begin to explore the alphabetic principle.
- GLE 0001.2.1
- Develop critical listening skills essential for comprehension, problem solving, and task completion.
- GLE 0001.2.2
- Develop critical speaking skills essential for effective communication.
- GLE 0001.6.1
- Comprehend the main idea of informational texts.
- GLE 0001.8.2
- Employ a variety of basic reading comprehension strategies.
- GLE 0001.8.3
- Develop reading fluency and accuracy.
- GLE 0101.1.1
- Demonstrate control of basic Standard English usage, mechanics, spelling, and sentence structure.
- GLE 0101.1.2
- Employ a variety of strategies to decode words and expand vocabulary.
- GLE 0101.1.3
- Develop and maintain phonological awareness.
- GLE 0101.2.1
- Develop critical listening skills essential for comprehension, problem solving, and task completion.
- GLE 0101.2.2
- Develop critical speaking skills essential for effective communication.
- GLE 0101.3.1
- Compose simple stories with a clear beginning, middle, and end.
- GLE 0101.3.3
- Begin to develop topic sentences.
- GLE 0101.6.2
- Identify the main ideas and supporting details of informational text.
- GLE 0101.6.3
- Recognize that a variety of graphics can support informational text.
- GLE 0101.8.2
- Employ a variety of basic reading comprehension strategies.
- GLE 0101.8.3
- Develop reading fluency and accuracy.
- TSS.ELA.1.FL.F.5
- Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.
- TSS.ELA.1.FL.PA.2
- Demonstrate understanding of spoken words, syllables, and sounds (phonemes).
- TSS.ELA.1.FL.PWR.3
- Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills when decoding isolated words and in connected text.
- TSS.ELA.1.FL.SC.6
- Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when speaking and conventions of standard English grammar and usage, including...
- TSS.ELA.1.FL.VA.7a
- Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 1 reading and content, choosing flexibly from an array of...
- TSS.ELA.1.FL.VA.7b
- With guidance and support from adults, demonstrate understanding of word relationships and nuances in word meanings.
- TSS.ELA.1.FL.VA.7c
- Use words and phrases acquired through conversations, reading and being read to, and responding to texts, including using frequently occurring conjunctions...
- TSS.ELA.1.RI.IKI.7
- Either orally or in writing when appropriate, use the illustrations and words in a text to describe its key ideas.
- TSS.ELA.1.RI.IKI.8
- Identify the reasons an author provides to support points in a text.
- TSS.ELA.1.RI.IKI.9
- Identify basic similarities and differences between two texts on the same topic including written details and illustrations when developmentally appropriate.
- TSS.ELA.1.RI.KID.1
- Ask and answer questions about key details in a text.
- TSS.ELA.1.RI.RRTC.10
- With prompting and support, read informational texts of appropriate complexity for grade 1.
- TSS.ELA.1.RL.IKI.7
- Either orally or in writing when appropriate, use illustrations and words in a text to describe its characters, setting, or events.
- TSS.ELA.1.RL.IKI.9
- Compare and contrast the adventures and experiences of characters in stories including written details and illustrations when developmentally appropriate.
- TSS.ELA.1.RL.KID.1
- Ask and answer questions about key details in a text.
- TSS.ELA.1.RL.RRTC.10
- With prompting and support, read stories and poems of appropriate complexity for grade 1.
- TSS.ELA.1.SL.CC.1
- Participate with varied peers and adults in collaborative conversations in small or large groups about appropriate 1st grade topics and texts.
- TSS.ELA.1.SL.CC.2
- Ask and answer questions about key details in a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media.
- TSS.ELA.1.SL.CC.3
- Ask and answer questions about what a speaker says in order to gather additional information or clarify something that is not understood.
- TSS.ELA.1.SL.PKI.6
- With prompting and support, speak in complete sentences when appropriate to task and situation.
- TSS.ELA.1.W.PDW.5
- With guidance and support from adults, focus on a topic, respond to questions and suggestions from others, and add details to strengthen writing as needed.
- TSS.ELA.1.W.RBPK.7
- Participate in shared research and writing projects, such as exploring a number of how to books on a given topic and using them to write a sequence of...
- TSS.ELA.1.W.TTP.1
- With prompting and support, write opinion pieces introducing the topic or text, stating an opinion, supplying a reason for the opinion, and providing some...
- TSS.ELA.1.W.TTP.2
- With prompting and support, write informative/explanatory texts, naming a topic, supplying some facts about the topic, and providing some sense of closure.
- TSS.ELA.1.W.TTP.3
- With prompting and support, write narratives recounting an event, including some details to describe actions, thoughts, and feelings; use time order words...
- TSS.ELA.K.FL.F.5
- Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.
- TSS.ELA.K.FL.PWR.3
- Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills when decoding isolated words and in connected text.
- TSS.ELA.K.FL.VA.7a
- Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on Kindergarten conversations, reading, and content.
- TSS.ELA.K.FL.VA.7b
- With guidance and support from adults, explore word relationships and nuances in word meanings.
- TSS.ELA.K.FL.VA.7c
- Use words and phrases acquired through conversations, reading and being read to, and responding to texts.
- TSS.ELA.K.FL.WC.4
- Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills when encoding words; write legibly.
- TSS.ELA.K.RI.IKI.8
- With prompting and support, identify the reasons an author provides to support points in a text.
- TSS.ELA.K.RI.IKI.9
- With prompting and support, orally identify basic similarities and differences between two texts on the same topic.
- TSS.ELA.K.RI.KID.1
- With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a text.
- TSS.ELA.K.RI.RRTC.10
- With prompting and support, read informational texts of appropriate complexity for Kindergarten.
- TSS.ELA.K.RL.IKI.9
- With prompting and support, orally compare and contrast the adventures and experiences of characters in familiar stories.
- TSS.ELA.K.RL.KID.1
- With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a text.
- TSS.ELA.K.RL.RRTC.10
- With prompting and support, read stories and poems of appropriate complexity for Kindergarten.
- TSS.ELA.K.SL.CC.1
- Participate with varied peers and adults in collaborative conversations in small or large groups about appropriate Kindergarten topics.
- TSS.ELA.K.SL.CC.2
- Confirm understanding of a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media by asking and answering questions about key details and...
- TSS.ELA.K.SL.CC.3
- Ask and answer questions in order to seek help, get information, or clarify something that is not understood.
- TSS.ELA.K.W.PDW.5
- With guidance and support from adults, respond to questions and suggestions from others and add details to strengthen writing as needed.
- TSS.ELA.K.W.RBPK.7
- Participate in shared research and writing projects, such as reading a number of books by a favorite author and expressing opinions about them.
- TSS.ELA.K.W.TTP.1
- With prompting and support, use a combination of drawing, dictating, and/or writing to compose opinion pieces.
Alignment of this item to academic standards is based on recommendations from content creators, resource curators, and visitors to this website. It is the responsibility of each educator to verify that the materials are appropriate for your content area, aligned to current academic standards, and will be beneficial to your specific students.
Unit Variations
Blooms taxonomy level:
Applying
Extension suggestions:
Extension Idea:
- Teachers may choose to create a list on chart paper of the types of insects named in the texts. This list can serve as a reference for students when writing. Advanced students could write the list themselves. A sample chart is provided below.
Extension Ideas: Several extension activities can be done to help students better understand this text or to challenge students.
- Teachers may want to make a list (T‐chart) of the living and non‐living things mentioned in this text. First grade students may be able to write their own lists. A sample T‐chart is included below.
- Teachers can choose one of the examples in the text to create a flow map. For example, they could begin with honeybees landing on flower, gathering pollen, going to another flower and resulting in pollination. A sample flow map is included below. For first grade or advanced students, they could create the flow map on their own.
- Students can act out or pantomime one of the processes described in the text. For example, they could act out being the honeybee and going from flower to flower during the pollination process.
Extension Ideas: Several extension activities can be done to help students better understand this text or to challenge students.
- Teachers can choose one of the examples in the text to create a diagram. For example, students could make a diagram of a hive and label the parts and various types of bees inside.
- Students can act out or pantomime one of the colonies described in the text. For example, several students could act out the ant nest by pantomiming the different actions/roles of the ants.
Additional extension Ideas:
- The class book can be written, typed or duplicated by the teacher. Students can add illustrations to each page. In first grade, teachers may decide to have each student write an individual book. If students write an individual book, students will be able to choose his/her own opinion statement. Students can also be encouraged to type their writing on a computer.
References
Citations:
Source Citation:
- (MLA 7th Edition) "A bug's body." Weekly Reader, Edition 2 [including Science Spin] 4 May 2007. General OneFile. Web. 13 Sept. 2013. Document URL: http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA163153474&v=2.1&u=tel_s_tsla&...
- (MLA 7th Edition) "Good bugs: some insects are helpful to people." Weekly Reader, Edition Pre‐K [including Science Spin] May‐June 2012: 1+. General OneFile. Web. 13 Sept. 2013. Document URL: http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA285993785&v=2.1&u=tel_s_tsla&...
- "Bug power: some insects work together in groups." Weekly Reader, Edition 2 [including Science Spin] May‐June 2008: SSS1+. General OneFile. Web. 13 Sept. 2013. Document URL: http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA178409874&v=2.1&u=tel_s_tsla&...
Originator:
eduToolbox® is a resource-sharing portal developed by the Ayers Institute for Learning & Innovation with collaborative support and funding from the Tennessee Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Education's Math & Science Partnership program.
